Panel joining structures

ABSTRACT

An improved panel joining structure for panel assemblies of the modular-type to facilitate construction or assembly of the panels. The structure includes flange members mounted on the side edge of a panel to be connected to another panel in a normal or perpendicular relationship. The flange members each include a camming notch therein with a straight portion for locking of the structure in assembled relationship. The panel to be joined has an elongated locking member extending along the extent of the side of the panel with a plurality of pairs of slots therein, one slot of each pair having a camming surface thereon adapted to fit over the slotted camming surface in the flange members and move the panels to assembled relationship. The second slot of the pair is a straight sided mounting slot permitting the locking member to be slidably moved on the panel being joined.

United States Patent Robert Y. Busby Edina;

John T. lhntmang, Fridley; Ronald A. lludalt, Anoke; Harry C. Osvald,Mlnneapolls, all at Mhln.

Jan. 20, 1970 Jan. 4, 1972 llauenstein & Burmelster, Inc. Minneapolis,Minn.

[72] Inventors [2 l Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee[54] PANEL JOINING STRUCTURES 12 Claims, 6 Drawing m [51] Int. Cl F161)5/07 [50] Field of Search 287/2092 R, 20.92 C, 20.92 D, 20.924,1116;211/148, 177;

25/131 CM, 131 C1; 249/167, 48, 219 W, 219 R;

[56] Reierenees Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,286,282 11/1966 Cloutier5/296 Primary Examiner-David J. Williamowsky Assistant Examiner-Wayne L.Shedd AttorneySchroeder, Siegfried & Ryan ABSTRACT: An improved paneljoining structure for panel assemblies of the modular-type to facilitateconstruction or assembly of the panels. The structure includes flangemembers mounted on the side edge of a panel to be connected to anotherpanel in a normal or perpendicular relationship. The flange members eachinclude a camming notch therein with a straight portion for locking ofthe structure in assembled relationship. The panel to be joined has anelongated locking member extending along the extent of the side of thepanel with a plurality of pairs of slots therein, one slot of each pairhaving a camming surface thereon adapted to fit over the slottedcarnming surface in the flange members and move the panels to assembledrelationship. The second slot of the pair is a straight sided mountingslot permitting the locking member to be slidably moved on the panelbeing joined.

PATENTEn JAN 41972 318321 14$ sum 1 or 2 IN VE/V TORS.

I l ROBERT Y. auzar JOHN 1: HAMMANG I RONALDAHUDAK Y HARRY a. osvowrmmcum 4m: 3332346 SHEET 2 0F 2 way)? J 'ilvvewrons. ROBERT K BUZBY JOHN7' HANNAH/6 RONALDA HUDAK HARRY 0. 0S VOLD BY W. fiaz:

T TOR PANEL JOINING STRUCTURES Our invention relates to panel assembliesof the modular type and more particularly to an improved panel joiningstructure to facilitate construction of such units.

In the past, modular units have taken a variety of forms andconstruction methods with a variety of couplings or structuralconnections for holding the sections of the modular units in assembledrelationship. Normally such structures are enclosures formed fromprefabricated sections which are erected in situ. Such structuresnormally require accessibility from either side of the same to completeassembly and in most instances coupling connections for the same areexposed on the interior of the enclosure. None of the priorconstructions are particularly adapted for assembly of modular units,such as elevator cabs, when the construction space is limited and theunits are to be constructed or assembled from a position within theenclosure they will define while at the same time providing for all ofthe structural connections to be positioned on the exterior surface ofthe panel sections forming the same and insuring positive tightconnections between joints of the panels.

In the present invention, an improved panel joining assembly is providedwhich is particularly adaptable for the construction of elevator cabassemblies. It provides for the mounting of coupling units on theexterior surface of the panels forming the walls of the assembly and thepositioning of the panels into desired locations in situ with a couplingof the joining structures in a final assembly insuring positive clampingconnections to eliminate warpage and a resultant rigid structure whereinthe joining structures or couplings are positioned exterior of theenclosure defined by the panels. In the present invention, a pluralityof flange members are adapted to be so positioned in spaced relationshipon certain of the panels to be connected or joined, and a locking memberis so positioned on the other panel to be joined with each of saidmembers having slots or notches therein with cam surfaces thereon whichpermit connection of the panels at wall joints, normally perpendicularto one another, with a carnming action to draw the panels together toeliminate warpage and to provide a smooth rigid coupling surface withthe connection members on the exterior of the panels. The assembly takesplace by sliding the locking member relative to the panels and theflange members to perform the camming action, as will be hereinafterdefined.

Therefore it is the principal object of this invention to provide animproved panel joining assembly or structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide in an improved paneljoining structure an arrangement which permits assembly of panels toform an enclosure in situ with the coupling parts positioned on theexternal surface of the panels remote from the interior of theenclosure.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved panel joiningstructure in which assembly of the parts can take place from theinterior of the enclosure and the clamping of the panels in assembledrelationship be effected by moving one of the parts from above to clampthe panels in assembled relationship.

A further object of this invention is to provide a panel joiningstructure which is simple in design, low in cost and which permits easein assembly in situ.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved paneljoining assembly or structure particularly adapted for the use ofassembly of elevator cabs.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent fromreading of the attached description together with the drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the paneljoining structure,

FIG. 2 is a top elevation view of the same,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation view of a portion of the panel joiningstructure,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevation view of the panel joining structure,with parts broken away, showing the relationship of parts,

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the locking member of the panel joiningstructure mounted on a panel, and

FIG. 6 is a top view of a panel enclosure utilizing the panel joiningstructures.

Our improved panel joining structures for constructing a panel assemblyor modular unit is shown in the drawings as being applied to join panelsin an abutting relationship normal to one another wherein the edge ofone panel overlaps a side surface of another panel to which it is to bejoined at the end of the same. A typical modular unit or enclosure isshown in FIG. 6 to simulate the wall structure of an elevator cabwherein a plurality of panels form the sidewalls of the enclosure withan access opening therein over which would be mounted a conventionaldoor closure. Thus, as will be seen in the drawings, a plurality ofpanels [0, 11, I2 and I3 would be joined together at their ends withcertain of the panels having edges abutting the end surface of theadjoining panel to which it is to be connected. Such panels would begenerally rectangular or square with a uniform thickness and would havestraight sides, top and bottom edges. in addition, such panels wouldnormally be finished on one surface only which would form the interiorof the enclosure. In the assembled relationship, the panels forming thewalls will be drawn together in a substantially seamless or gaplessjoint providing positive location of the panels relative to one anotherin a locked rigid con nection therebetween.

The improved panel joining structures which provide for such assemblywill best be seen in FIGS. 1-5 respectively. In these views, fragmentaryportions of the individual panels are shown and portions of theconnecting parts to disclose the shape and relationship of the same areincluded. Thus in FIGS. 1 and 2, the comer formed between panels 12 andI3 in FIG. 6 is shown in perspective and top view with the face side ofpanel 12 having abutted thereto the edge of the panel I3. Attached tothe back sides of the panels, as seen in the perspective view, are theconnecting members which include a plurality of flange platelikeconnecting members 20 and an elongated locking member or bar 30. As willbe seen in the drawings the platelike flange members include a pluralityof mounting apertures 22 therein through which screw means 24 securesthe same to the back side of a panel. The flange members are generallyrectangular in form having a notch, indicated generally at 25, at theopposite extremity of the same with the notch having a straight linesurface 26 extending from one edge of the same toward the middle of theplatelike member and with the notch being further defined by a secondstraight lined portion 27 parallel thereto and spaced therefrom todefine a straight portion of the notch and terminating with a surface 28at an acute angle thereto defining a cam surface for the notch with theupper tip of the flange member being removed, for purposes to be laternoted. The angle or taper of the side 28 with respect to camming actionwill move a cooperating surface toward the straight side 26 and thenotch formed between sides 26, 27 or the straight portion of the notchfor locking purposes and to eliminate the effect of panel warpage.

A plurality of flange members 20 are mounted on the backside of one ofthe panels in spaced relationship with a predetermined spacingtherebetween. Further, they are positioned on the straight sides oredges of the panels such that the notch formed therein will bepositioned a predetermined distance from the edge of the panel to whichit is attached. This distance is the thickness distance of the panel tobe joined thereto when the overlapping joint is as shown in FIG. I. Thusthe straight side 26 of the notch will align with the backside of thepanel 12 in final assembled relationship to provide a joined surface inwhich no gap appears between the panels along the extent of the same.

The locking member 30 is an elongated platelike member having a flatsurface adapted to fit against the back of a panel and be slidablymounted thereon and widl a portion or extremity bent normal thereto,such as is indicated at 32. it includes along its extent a plurality ofpairs of slots each pair having a straight side mounting slot 34 and atapered or flared slot 35 of the same length positioned parallel to thesame. The

spacing between the pairs of slots coincides with the spacing betweenthe mounting of the flange members 20 on the panel to be joined theretoand the mounting slots are so positioned on the straight portion and areof such dimension that a mounting screw may be positioned through thesame, such as is indicated at 36, to slidably mount the locking memberon the backside of a panel. The locking slot 35 has a straight side 37with a portion of the slot having a second straight side spacedtherefrom as indicated at 38 to provide a straight portion for thelocking slot and an inclined side 39 at an acute angle thereto providinga camming surface such that the opposite end of the slot will have awidth dimension at least twice the width dimension of the straightportion thereof. Further, the camming side will be in such a directionas to move the flange member 20 which is adapted to be positionedtherethrough in a direction toward the straight portion as the lockingmember is slidably positioned on the back of a panel. The lockingmembers are positioned on the backside of a panel such that the straightside or edge 37 of the slot 35 will be substantially aligned with theedge of the panel to which it is mounted and will maintain suchalignment to eliminate warpage as the locking member is movedlongitudinally with respect to the panel.

In FIG. 5 it will be seen that the plurality of pairs of slotspositioned in the locking member 30 are spaced along the extent of thesame and that the locking member is of such dimension as to besubstantially equal to the height or length of the side or edge of thepanel to which it is attached. It will be mounted thereon such that thelocking member may be elevated so that the upper extremity of the sameis exposed above the end of the panel and such that it may be forceddownward such that the extremities of the same will align with the edgeof the panel for the locked position.

The actual mounting of the flange members and the locking member onpanels will be efi'ected by predrilling of the panels to a particulardimension through jigging or accurate location of the drill holesand themounting of the same; hence that the panel joining parts will accuratelyalign with the edges and surfaces of the panels to be joined such thatwhen the parts are positioned in cooperating relationship a smoothabutting joint will be obtained. It will also be evident from thedrawing that the width dimension of the straight portions of the slotswill be such as to be substantially equal to the thickness of the flangemember 20 and the locking member which are normally made of the samegauge metal. Further the locking member will be mounted on the back of apanel with the screws advanced into the panel to a point where thelocking member may be slidably moved thereon under friction andaccurately maintained thereon.

The panel joining structures in the form of the flange members 20 andthe locking member 30 will normally be preassembled on the rear sides ofthe panels forming the walls of the enclosure in a predetermined manner,depending upon the abutting relationship of the respective panels. inthe assembly of an elevator cab within an elevator shaft, thesurrounding area in the shaft prevents working from the backside of apanel and consequently the cab usernbly is put together on a base orfloor of the elevator by locating panels in position and connecting thesame to one another from the face side thereof, or the interior of theenclosure. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the backwall 12 orthat wall opposite the access opening 15 of the cab will be firstpositioned on the floor of the elevator and located thereon. It willhave the locking members 30 mounted on the sides of the same and withthe locking members moved such that the upper extremity of the same willproject above the top of the panel. The sidewalls 13 or 11 would then beintroduced with the flange members projecting from the edge or beyondthe edge which is to 'abut against the facing surfaces of the back panel12 and the panels will be moved toward one another with the flangemembers positioned through the slots 35 in the locking member. Thelength of the slots 35 and 34 will normally be at least as long as theflange members are wide so that the notched extremity may fit into theslot 35. With all of the flange members on the backside of the panel tobe joined to the panel having the locking member thereon positionedthrough the slots adjacent the same to a point where the notched surface25 is exposed in the flange members, the locking member may be moveddownwardly causing the tapered or cam surfaces of the notch and slots toengage the surface of the opposite member and urge the panels toward aposition of alignment overcoming any warpage wherein the edge of the onepanel will abut the surface of the other in a corner with no gaptherein. The locking member will normally be urged down against thefrictional forces of the screws 36 holding the same through suitablemeans, such as by hammering, causing the panels to be drawn into a tightabutting relationship defining the comer or joint between the two panelsof the assembly. The locking member will be moved such that the straightportions of the respective notches and slots will coincide and fittogether at which position the ends of the slots will contact with theends of the notches to provide a locked joint. in this portion orrelationship, the contacting sides are straight or parallel to thesurfaces adjoined so that no force would be applied to separate themembers. As will be seen in the drawings, the inclined surface 39 causesthe panels to be moved into alignment so that the back of the panel 13aligns with the edge of the panel 12 and the inclined surface in thenotch 28 will bring the panel 12 against the edge of the panel 13 inabutting relationship thereto. The straight portions are aligned withthe respective edges of the panels so that in the locked position thepanels are joined in a perfect gapless joint with the connectinghardware being positioned external of the interior of the enclosure. Thelocking members may then be secured by tightening at least one of thescrews 36 accessible from the top of the panel. It will be understood,however, though not shown, that other locking braces at the top and thebottoms of the panel will secure the enclosure to the floor and mayprovide cross bracing between the tops of the panels. The additionalwall sides are assembled in the same manner with the panels beinglocated relative to one another from the inside of the enclosure and thepanels moved to a locking relationship through movement of the paneljoining structure or the locking member relative to the flange members20 to bring the panels into abutting relationship.

In considering this invention it should be remembered that the presentdisclosure is illustrative only and the scope of the invention should bedetermined by the appendant claims.

What panel-joining is:

l. A panel joining structure comprising; at least a pair of panelstructures having straight sides and adapted to be secured to oneanother along the edges of the straight sides in a normal relationshipwith respect to one another, a plurality of spaced platelike flangemembers mounted on the edge of one of the panels with each flange memberhaving a portion projecting beyond the edge of the panel, said portionof said flange member projecting beyond the edges of the panel having anotch therein with a straight sided portion and an outwardly taperedportion terminating at an edge of the flange member, a single-lockingmember slidably mounted on the edge of the other of the straight sidedpanel structure to be joined with the edge of said one of said panelstructures and having a portion projecting beyond the edge of said otherof said panel structures, said locking member having a plurality ofslots in the portion projecting beyond the edge of the panel structurewhich slots are spaced apart the same distance as the spacing betweenthe flange members on said one of said panels, said slots havingstraight-sided portions and an outwardly flared portion, said lockingmember and said flange members being positioned on the respective panelstructures with the locking member being adapted to be fitted over theflange members on said one of said panels and moved until the straightsided portions of the slots and the notches in the flange and lockingmembers contact such that the panel struc tures abut and eliminatewarpage therebetween.

2. The panel-joining structure of claim 1 in which the panel structuresare plural in number each having straight sides, top and bottom withuniform thickness, and in which certain of said panel structures haveflange members mounted thereon while other of said panel structures tobe connected thereto having locking members thereon and positioned atthe edges of the same.

3. The panel-joining structure of claim 2 in which the adjacent panelsare positioned in an overlapping relationship and perpendicular to oneanother with the edge of one panel being positioned in abuttingrelationship with an end surface of the adjacent panel and with thepanel structures forming walls of a plural sided enclosure having anaccess opening therein with the locking members and the flange membersattached to the individual structures being positioned external of theenclosure.

4. The panel-joining structure of claim 1 in which the straight portionsof the notches and the slots in the flange members and the lockingmember have a width dimension equal to a thickness dimension of theflange member.

5. The panel-joining structure of claim I in which the tapered portionsof the notches and the slots in the flange members and the lockingmember have a surface aligned with the edge of the straight portion ofthe notches and slots and a surface inclined at an acute angle theretoto provide a camming action between the flange members and the lockingmember urging the panels connected thereto for relative movement towardone another.

6. The panel-joining structure of claim 1 in which the locking member isslidably mounted on a panel by means of a plurality of screw meansextending through a plurality of slots in the locking member.

7. The panel-joining structure of claim 1 in which the locking memberhas a plurality of pairs of spaced slots therein one slot of each pairhaving straight sides throughout and one slot of each pair having thetapered and straight portions with the pairs of slots being spaced alongthe extent of the locking member in the same spacing as the flangemembers are positioned on the panel structure to which the panelstructure carrying the locking member is to be attached.

8. The panel-joining structure of claim 7 in which the locking memberhas a length dimension substantially equal to a height dimension of thepanel structure to which it is attached.

9. The panel-joining structure of claim 8 in which the locking member isslidably attached to a panel structure and the edge of the same remotefrom the attached portion is bent normal to the extent of the attachedportion to fit around a flange member and contact a surface of the same.

10. A panel-joining structure adapted to connect panels having straightsides and which are to be secured to one another along the edges of saidstraight sides with an edge in overlapping relationship with a sidesurface of a panel along the end of the same comprising, a plurality ofplatelike flange members adapted to be mounted along the edge of one ofthe panels with each of the flange members having a camming notchtherein, an elongated locking member adapted to be slidably mounted onanother of the panels along the edge of the same and having a pluralityof slots therein with each slot having an inclined camming surfacethereon, said locking members being adapted to be positioned on one ofsaid panel structures and over the flange members when said lockingmembers and said flange members are attached to the edges of panels suchthat the slots therein cooperate with the notches in the flange membersto cam the panels toward one another and lock the same in abuttingrelationship to lock said panel structures in abutting and nonwarpingrelationship.

11. The panel-joining structure of claim 10 in which the slots andnotches in the locking member and the flange members have straiflitlocking portions joining the camming sur faces which are adapted to bealigned with a surface of the respective panels opposite that to whichthe flange members and locking member are attached whenmounted on thepanel. 12. A panelolnmg structure comprising; at least a pair of panelstructures having straight sides and adapted to be secured to oneanother along the edges of the straight sides in a normal relationshipwith respect to one another, a plurality of spaced platelike flangemembers mounted on the edge of one of the panels vn'th each flangemember having a portion projecting beyond the edge of the panel, saidportion of said flange member projecting beyond the edges of the panelhaving a notch therein with a straight side and an outwardly angled sideterminating at an edge of the flange member, a single-locking memberslidably mounted on the edge of the other of the straight sided panelstructure to be joined with the edge of said one of said panelstructures and having a portion projecting beyond the edge of said otherof said panel structures, said locking member having a plurality ofslots in the portion projecting beyond the edge of the panel structurewhich slots are spaced apart the same distance as the spacing betweenthe flange members on said one of said panels, said slots having astraight side and an outwardly angled side, said locking member beingadapted to be fitted over the flange members on said one of said panelsand moved until the straight sides of the slots and the notches in theflange and locking members contact.

1 I t t i

1. A panel joining structure comprising; at least a pair of panelstructures having straight sides and adapted to be secured to oneanother along the edges of the straight sides in a normal relationshipwith respect to one another, a plurality of spaced platelike flangemembers mounted on the edge of one of the panels with each flange memberhaving a portion projecting beyond the edge of the panel, said portionof said flange member projecting beyond the edges of the panel having anotch therein with a straight sided portion and an outwardly taperedportion terminating at an edge of the flange member, a single-lockingmember slidably mounted on the edge of the other of the straight sidedpanel structure to be joined with the edge of said one of said panelstructures and having a portion projecting beyond the edge of said otherof said panel structures, said locking member having a plurality ofslots in the portion projecting beyond the edge of the panel structurewhich slots are spaced apart the same distance as the spacing betweenthe flange members on said one of said panels, said slots havingstraight-sided portions and an outwardly flared portion, said lockingmember and said flange members being positioned on the respective panelstructures with the locking member being adapted to be fitted over theflange members on said one of said panels and moved until the straightsided portions of the slots and the notches in the flange and lockingmembers contact such that the panel structures abut and eliminatewarpage therebetween.
 2. The panel-joining structure of claim 1 in whichthe panel structures are plural in number each having straight sides,top and bottom with uniform thickness, and in which certain of saidpanel structures have flange members mounted thereon while other of saidpanel structures to be connected thereto having locking members thereonand positioned at the edges of the same.
 3. The panel-joining structureof claim 2 in which the adjacent panels are positioned in an overlappingrelationship and perpendicular to one another with the edge of one panelbeing positioned in abutting relationship with an end surface of theadjacent panel and with the panel structures forming walls of a pluralsided enclosure having an access opening therein with the lockingmembers and the flange members attached to the individual structuresbeing positioned external of the enclosure.
 4. The panel-joiningstructure of claim 1 in which the straight portions of the notches andthe slots in the flange members and the locking member have a widthdimension equal to a thickness dimension of the flange member.
 5. Thepanel-joining structure of claim 1 in which the tapered portions of thenotches and the slots in the flange members and the locking memBer havea surface aligned with the edge of the straight portion of the notchesand slots and a surface inclined at an acute angle thereto to provide acamming action between the flange members and the locking member urgingthe panels connected thereto for relative movement toward one another.6. The panel-joining structure of claim 1 in which the locking member isslidably mounted on a panel by means of a plurality of screw meansextending through a plurality of slots in the locking member.
 7. Thepanel-joining structure of claim 1 in which the locking member has aplurality of pairs of spaced slots therein one slot of each pair havingstraight sides throughout and one slot of each pair having the taperedand straight portions with the pairs of slots being spaced along theextent of the locking member in the same spacing as the flange membersare positioned on the panel structure to which the panel structurecarrying the locking member is to be attached.
 8. The panel-joiningstructure of claim 7 in which the locking member has a length dimensionsubstantially equal to a height dimension of the panel structure towhich it is attached.
 9. The panel-joining structure of claim 8 in whichthe locking member is slidably attached to a panel structure and theedge of the same remote from the attached portion is bent normal to theextent of the attached portion to fit around a flange member and contacta surface of the same.
 10. A panel-joining structure adapted to connectpanels having straight sides and which are to be secured to one anotheralong the edges of said straight sides with an edge in overlappingrelationship with a side surface of a panel along the end of the samecomprising, a plurality of platelike flange members adapted to bemounted along the edge of one of the panels with each of the flangemembers having a camming notch therein, an elongated locking memberadapted to be slidably mounted on another of the panels along the edgeof the same and having a plurality of slots therein with each slothaving an inclined camming surface thereon, said locking members beingadapted to be positioned on one of said panel structures and over theflange members when said locking members and said flange members areattached to the edges of panels such that the slots therein cooperatewith the notches in the flange members to cam the panels toward oneanother and lock the same in abutting relationship to lock said panelstructures in abutting and nonwarping relationship.
 11. Thepanel-joining structure of claim 10 in which the slots and notches inthe locking member and the flange members have straight locking portionsjoining the camming surfaces which are adapted to be aligned with asurface of the respective panels opposite that to which the flangemembers and locking member are attached when mounted on the panel.
 12. Apanel-joining structure comprising; at least a pair of panel structureshaving straight sides and adapted to be secured to one another along theedges of the straight sides in a normal relationship with respect to oneanother, a plurality of spaced platelike flange members mounted on theedge of one of the panels with each flange member having a portionprojecting beyond the edge of the panel, said portion of said flangemember projecting beyond the edges of the panel having a notch thereinwith a straight side and an outwardly angled side terminating at an edgeof the flange member, a single-locking member slidably mounted on theedge of the other of the straight sided panel structure to be joinedwith the edge of said one of said panel structures and having a portionprojecting beyond the edge of said other of said panel structures, saidlocking member having a plurality of slots in the portion projectingbeyond the edge of the panel structure which slots are spaced apart thesame distance as the spacing between the flange members on said one ofsaid panels, said slots having a straight side and an outwardly angledside, said locking member being adapted to be fitted over the flangemembers on said one of said panels and moved until the straight sides ofthe slots and the notches in the flange and locking members contact.